THEME Thursday, April 28, 2010 - Sleep

EtsyBlogger Teammates Artwork.  Click on photo to transport to each shop!

Original Photo 5x7 Sebastian and Snowflake

A Sleepy Horse - 5 x 7 print of an original watercolor

Sugar - Kitty Cat and Blue Beaded Earrings

Jumping Off Places Meme ... Week 9 April 22, 2011

The bee flitted from blossom to blossom in an erratic pattern as my spirit revels in the height of the tall, fragrant, wheat colored grass.  When laying within the fold of this huge beautiful field behind our house, looking at the pussy willow tree upside down, and the awesome blue cloudless sky, my thoughts wander.
The momentary escape mingles with reality and I turn it over quickly, out of my mind, thinking only of the pieces of milkweed dancing along in the background to the deep, neverending blue sky.  Breaking off a piece of the tall grass and putting it into my mouth, I feel engulfed in peace.  When I am here, I believe that I am loved more than anything imaginable. 

An unexpected exhale, a relaxing.  Taking in the fresh air, breathing in and asorbing the colors that suround me in every direction.  I long to be, in this, my favorite place in all of my small world.  There is no wrong, no looking over my shoulder, making a snow-like angel within the tall, wheat colored grass ... places like this are known by wild deer, not children. I am blessed to share such a teeny place in all of the universe.

In the distance I see shadows behind the kitchen window.  Can I be seen.  Am I ever truly alone?

Do you love COOKIES?

http://news.yahoo.com/video/miamicbs4-15750840/hollywood-woman-s-penguin-tickle-video-goes-viral-24964912

Jumping Off Places Meme ... Week 8 April 2011

Younger memories ... click here

The inward journey is a lifelong pilgrimage.  

An adult now, the journey has been filled with many good memories, and even more prevalent, the nightmares.  It is unfortunate that the monster mother continues the games and actions meant to control and injure, even in her seventies, as the youngest of us continues her healing battle. 

Maine and New Hampshire camping vacations, participating in elementary school May Pole Ceremonies, empty refrigerator boxes used to slide down the grassy hill between our house and my grandparents home. Standing at the edge of Nanna & Grampy's backyard filling our mouths with warm, sweet, fresh raspberries and blackberries from the vines.  Traveling into the woods on the tailgate of our station wagon eager to pick wild blueberries, and eating hard pears from the school yard tree.  Raising tadpoles, ice skating and bonfires on cranberry bogs in winter.  Clyde, my fathers black Labrador retriever, yearly month-long vacations visiting maternal relatives here in Florida.  Suddenly, I learn that my father is not my real father. 

Good memories tempered by the impossible. 

It was like a boomerang, coming back only to knock me upside the head.  She yelled at me.  "How dare I embarrass my "father" like that in front of everyone?"  Oh my god, in trouble again.  What is happening?  My head spins.  Who kicked me in the stomach?

Arriving at Aunt Betty and Uncle Al's home, everyone leaves the car making a beeline for the house.  I am told to wait.  She takes me aside in the driveway, yells at me again for embarrassing my "father", how could I be so rude.  "No, he is not your father."  "Stay here until you stop crying."  NEVER bring  the subject up again, questions are unacceptable. 

Frightened into believing!  Why am I different?  Why is this so bad?  Head continues to spin, stomach hurts, can't breath.  Hold me.  Please hold me.  Love me, PLEASE!  She gives me a piece of gum and tells me not to come into the house until "you can stop crying"!  I see her back walking away through my hot, salty, frigthened tears.

God, please take me away, anywhere.  Somewhere.  Help me find my real father, he will take me to a home of love and peace.  "Real" grandparents?  Sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles ...

It is a coming to terms, realizations, purging, giving up, and letting go.  Looking at the adult, with an adults vision and a child's broken spirit.  How do I forgive?  Do I want to know how?

Friday Fence Post April 15, 2011

Double Fence Posts

(Did you see it in the background?)

How birth order affects your love life

Want some fresh insight into your love personality? Forget about whether you’re a Leo, Pisces or Aquarius; instead, consider whether you’re a first-born, middle child, or baby of the family. If you want to understand how you operate in every kind of relationship, “understanding birth order is a lifesaver,” stresses psychologist Kevin Leman, Ph.D., author of The Birth Order Book. Read on for more insight into your love life:

If you’re an oldest child...
It’s no coincidence that most U.S. Presidents were first-borns, because this is the sign of natural leaders. You’re a take-charge person, so not the type to drive friends and romantic partners crazy asking questions like, “I dunno where we should eat; where do you want to go?” Instead, you’ll make sure you have reservations — and land a prime table, too. And anyone lucky enough to pair up with you won’t spend weeknights wondering whether he or she has Saturday night plans, because “oldest kids are planners,” says Dr. Leman. You’re also old-fashioned (in a good way). You always come through on anniversaries and Valentine’s Day.

Your love challenge: Being more spontaneous. First-borns aren’t the “seize the day” sort (you’re not one to text your sweetie to suggest meeting at this fun café you just walked past). Likewise, “you hate surprises,” Dr. Leman warns. Pity the fool who springs meeting the parents on you or when you thought it was just the two of you going out tonight!
Best match: The youngest child. “It’s a case of opposites attracting,” says Dr. Leman. “You help the last-born be more organized, and the last-born helps you lighten up.”   

If you’re a middle child...Contrary to their reputation as insecure messes (example: Jan Brady), middle kids actually make stable and loyal partners. “One thing you’re not is spoiled,” Dr. Leman says. You probably grew up feeling like you got less attention than your siblings, and that drives you to work for every perk — including a happy relationship. Also in the “positives” category: You’re “a compromiser and negotiator,” Dr. Leman notes, so you’ll give your partner plenty of say in everything from how quickly your relationship progresses to where you go on vacation together. And your romance should be free of daily petty squabbles (middles hate conflict); instead, you try to put others at ease.

Your love challenge: Opening up. Have you ever been told you’re hard to read? “Middle children can be very secretive,” says Dr. Leman. “They got hammered by the first-born and swindled by the baby, so they keep their cards close to their chests.” You’re also not the best communicator when you’re upset. But if you learn to speak up instead of holding your anger in, you’ll have a more harmonious relationship.
Best match: Youngest child. “Middles aren’t as threatened by last-borns as they are by exacting first-borns,” says Dr. Leman, so the odds are good for open communication.

If you’re a youngest child...
You’re all about fun. The most outgoing of all in the birth order spectrum, youngest children live to have a good time (it may be because your parents were more laid-back by the time you came along). On a typical first date you’ll have your date laughing so hard that water shoots out his or her nose. In fact, “most famous comedians are youngest children,” says Dr. Leman. A partial list of famous examples: Jon Stewart, Jim Carrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy. And forget ho-hum plans like dinner and a movie; you love to do the unexpected, often on the spur of the moment. You’re the type to take someone to a party only to whisper, “Let’s get out of here” two minutes later... and then convince your date to take a road trip to Atlantic City or Vegas for the weekend.

Your love challenge: “Babies are the least financially dependable,” warns Dr. Leman (it comes from being, well, taken care of all your life). That means your date may be stuck picking up the tab when your credit card is maxed out. Also, some youngest children — not you, of course! — use that last-born charm and charisma to be a bit, ahem, manipulative, says Dr. Leman. That breed of baby will leave a date and sneak off to hit golf balls with pals or something similar, leaving the other person wondering what happened.

Best match: Either the oldest child (they serve as a good counterbalance in a parent-child sort of way) or middle child (they value friendships, so they totally understand why you love being the life of the party).

If you’re an only child...
You’re a rock-solid citizen — and a sweetie. “Only children are super-reliable,” Dr. Leman says. “They’re like oldest children taken to the extreme.” Growing up with only adults made you into a little grown-up early on — meaning you’re serious and dependable. You’re the rare person who will stay up half the night helping a friend or partner prep for a licensing exam or a big work presentation. You’re the type to move your partner’s car so he or she doesn’t get a ticket. Punctual and true to your word, onlies like you never leave a loved one waiting for a call or email. And you’re articulate, too, so your date can expect great conversations that really make a person think.

Your love challenge: Admit it — you’re a bit of a perfectionist. Maybe you send back steaks that aren’t cooked just so or point out a teeny-tiny stain on your date’s sweater. Also, you’re so cautious and pragmatic that you can be very slow to act (i.e., someone else has to make the first move).
Best match: Youngest child, because you balance each other out. The baby of the family adds spontaneity and romance, while you make sure you two aren’t dining by candlelight because the electric bill never got paid.

Lisa Lombardi has written for Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Shape and other publications. A classic middle child, she is happy to have picked a fun-loving last-born mate.

What do you think? And, please take the <<<POLL<<< over there... :o)

Friday Fence Post April 8, 2011

FRIDAY FENCE POST

Camera-Critters #156 - Cowlick

To join in this fun meme, which is all about critters, scroll down and click on the badge.

Theme Thursday Meme March 31, 2011 ~ SILLY

SILLY STATE LAWS

Check out this array of crazy codes of conduct from across the nation. Some are no longer on the books (thank goodness), others are truly letter-of-the-law lunacy.

FLORIDA:  Doors that open inward, instead of outward

NEW HAMPSHIRE:  Don’t even think about collecting seaweed at night

SOUTH CAROLINA:  There’s no playing with pinball machines until you’re 18

ALASKA:  It is considered an offense to push a live moose out of a moving airplane

HAWAII:  Coins are not allowed to be placed in one’s ears

NEW YORK:  A person may not walk around on Sundays with an ice cream cone in his/her pocket

INDIANA:  Hotel sheets must be exactly 99 inches long and 81 inches wide

VERMONT:  Women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth

COLORADO:  It is illegal to ride a horse while under the influence

ALABAMA:  Boogers may not be flicked into the wind

More?  Click Above Map ...

Friday Fence Post April 1, 2011

Friday Fence Post

Comparatively, this is a small pasture, close to my studio.  It is surrounded by upscale neighborhoods, business and fairly steady traffic.  Such a wonderful sight to see with all of that!

Needless to say, I so enjoyed this photo shoot.  The first time I arrived to practice with my new camera, all of the cows ran away.  The second visit, after I purchased a new camera lens, I was scritching them.  One especially took to liking this and would move her head up and down against my hand ... it was so much fun to share time with her and her antics.  Geez, these things are strong!

Theme Thursday Meme March 24, 2011 - Paper

Where would the world be without paper? It has thousands of different uses and is used throughout the world many times in a day. Paper is largely used to write or print on, but it is also used in packaging, napkins and paper towel, toilet paper and some countries even use it as a food product.

History of Paper

• The ancient Sumerians used clay tablets to write.
• The ancient Egyptians used papyrus as a writing material. This was much better than writing on clay tablets. Papyrus was made from beaten strips of papyrus plants. There is evidence showing that the Egyptians used papyrus as early as 3700 BC. They later exported papyrus to Greek and Rome. The word ‘paper’ comes from the Greek work for ‘papyrus’.
• From about 1600 to 250 BC, the ancient Chinese wrote on bamboo strips or bone. These were heavy and difficult to transport.
• The first ‘paper’ was invented in ancient China sometime around 200 BC. However, this paper was made very differently modern paper.
• Cai Lun, a court official during the Han Dynasty in China, is credited with inventing ‘modern’ paper. He first made paper from rags and plant fibers in 105 AD. While the papermaking process has changed throughout the years, modern paper is still quite similar to that made by Cai Lun. Paper became widely used as a writing implement by the 3rd century (200-300 AD).

The Thursday Meme often gives me the exciting opportunity to feature some of my very talented and artistic etsybloggers teammates.  Be amazed with me at the variety of paper materials, and designs. 

Donna Pool ~ Cat Note Cards

Mr. PenQuin ~ Paper Flower Accents

Rose Works Jewelry ~ Multicolored Paper Beads

Please stop, take a few moments to explore the artists shops, you may find a gift for you or someone else, and help the handmade artisan and movement at the same time.
~Re

Featured EtsyBlogger March 2011

Mystic Wynd  I've come a long way from my humble beginnings in that little neighborhood and life has thrown me its share of curve balls. I've been married and divorced, remarried and widowed, and am happily married  to a great guy who's a senior network engineer (which means basically that he's a computer geek, but he loves computers, and I'm good with that! We've been married for 4 years and between us have 6 children and 7 grandchildren. We live in Scottsdale, AZ where the sun is almost always shining and at worst, you never have to shovel "partly cloudy"! (click on above banner to learn more)

                                                                                                                                   Karen

Eclectic, distinctive, and often one of a kind, my handcrafted artisan necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, accessories, and gift items are sure to please! Please visit my shop policies in the left menu bar for more information and special offers. Questions and custom requests are always welcome and encouraged. Free standard worldwide shipping on all items!
Why wait?  You could miss this beautifilled creation!



click on above photo to visit Karens shop

Congratulations Karen creator of Mystic Wynd and EtsyBloggers Teammate

I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY!

Oh how I love photography!  Bought a new camera, then of course had to have a longer lens, and then a card that holds a gianormous amount of pictures.  Then there came that special day that I was able to share an outing with a most special friend, to a very special place, for the sole purpose of photographing.

My wonderful, and most talented friend Nicole and I spent yesterday walking the grounds of the Ringling Museum of Art.  Nicole lives here for about six months of the year (I don't like it when she goes, but they soon will be here on a more permanent basis), and the rest of her time in Montreal with her husband of about thirty years.  A self-taught beadweaver and photographer, as well as an expert knitter, as well as teacher of all.  Nicole and I  became fast friends soon after I took a bead crochet class she taught at a local bead shop.

It has become one of those rarer of relationships that us four, as couples, all enjoy one anothers company, and when her husband is in town he and my husband share their passion of fishing! 

This is my first collage.  You will be able to click on it to enlare it, and I hope that you may find something of interest.  Some full designs will be coming along soon as I continue to become one with my new camera and lenses, and rejoice in learning from Nicole.

~Re

Mind Control ...

If you have a special place in your being as I do, for the love of photography, you understand that when a wonderful outdoor day is upon you ...

So much fun, so little hours in a day!

Dear Readers,

For these past several years I have marveled that I have an artists bone in my body, yet recently I purchased a new camera and childhood memories have come flooding back into my spirit!

Though my awesome Panasonic Lumix camera is new to me, it has been used by a friend of a friend for about a year since it was purchased.  In mint condition and at half of the original cost, with two batteries, one lens, and many of the goodies associated, she has finally become my new friend.  It was worth the wait, as it took me a few months to slowly earn the extra money to make the final purchase.

Not satisfied using only the lens included, my friend is now wearing a new zoom outfit whose sight has been increased with the recent purchase of a longer range lens.  Ahhh, the purchasing outfits of a camera can be daunting one has discovered.... LOL  I am now in the market for a real good macro lens.  Did I say macro?  Woot! ... the learning curve!

It is wonderful to remember receiving my very first camera for my 10th birthday ... it was all I wanted.  No one explained the cost to have the film developed, thus the inventive ways to raise income.  Door to door selling Christmas cards from a catalog, babysitting, allowance, extra chores, helping neighbors, and of course the expectation of holiday and birthday money!  An inner artist was discovered.

It has been thirty something years since I have had a camera that I can change out the lenses, nevermind the invention of digital photography, experimenting has taken over an important parts of my thoughts and feelings.

Can you imagine being giddy over getting my first library card in twenty years!  Picked out two photography books, and one to help me through Photoshop Elements 9. 

Bless my six or seven year old point and shoot digital camera, she has done me well and will continue to travel with me.  Never travel with one camera, I have been told that something is bound to happen causing the necessity for a back up.

Ok, ready for one of my first outing photographs?

My spirit is souring